Mayor John Heilman

After receiving a degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, Cleveland native John Heilman moved to Southern California to attend the University of Southern California Law School. He was an editor of the school’s Law Review and graduated in 1982. Mayor Heilman also received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from USC. Mayor Heilman is a law school professor. He currently teaches at both Southwestern Law School and the University of Southern California Law School.

Mayor Heilman was active in the incorporation of the City of West Hollywood. He was elected to the City’s first City Council in November 1984. Heilman was chosen as the City’s second Mayor in 1985. He also served as Mayor in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2006, and 2010. He was most recently reelected to the City Council in March 2017 and chosen as Mayor in May 2017.

Since his earliest days on the City Council, one of Mayor Heilman’s strongest concerns has been affordable housing. Heilman was instrumental in the establishment of the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, a City-funded organization which develops affordable housing in West Hollywood. He also helped develop the City’s landmark Rent Stabilization Ordinance and inclusionary housing policy.

Mayor Heilman has been an active member of the National League of Cities. He previously served on the board of both the National League of Cities and the California League of Cities. He is a past board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and the Local Government Commission. He is also the past president of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Local Officials Group and a founding member and past co-chair of the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials.

Mayor Heilman helped create the City’s recycling program and Senior Advisory Council. He founded the City’s Russian Advisory Board in an attempt to integrate the City’s Russian-speaking residents into the City’s decision making process. As a result of his leadership on the issue of AIDS, he received the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Award in 1990. Heilman also works closely with the City's business community, serving as the City Council's liaison to the West Hollywood Marketing and Visitors Bureau.

In addition to his work on the City Council, Mayor Heilman is the immediate past president and a board member of the Jacaranda School in Africa. The school provides education for over 400 children who have been orphaned by AIDS.

Heilman also serves on the board of OutRight International, an organization which advances LGBT rights around the world.

You may contact West Hollywood City Council offices via email at council@weho.org or by phone at (323) 848-6460.